Aussie Kemp seizes share of lead at Jamie Farr event

Yani Tseng of Taiwan tees off at the 16th hole at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic at Highland Hills Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio, on Friday.

PHOTO: AFP

Australia’s Sarah Kemp seized a share of the lead at 11-under 131 after the second round of the US$1.4 million LPGA Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic.

Kemp shot an eight-under 63 on Friday to share the lead with American Laura Diaz who had a 67.

American Morgan Pressel was in third place after a three-under 68. She shared the first round lead with South Korea’s Kim Song-hee and Diaz.

Kim, of Sydney, shot a 71 on Friday and was one of nine South Koreans in the top 20, but four strokes adrift of Kemp.

Taiwan’s Yani Tseng was in a group at 136 after shooting a 68, Candie Kung was at 140 after a one-over 72 and Amy Hung was on par at 142 after her second 71.

■PGA NATIONAL

AFP, BETHESDA, MARYLAND

World No. 1 Tiger Woods leaped into the lead after two rounds of the PGA National with a four-under par 66 on Friday, but was far from happy with the way he landed atop the leaderboard.

Woods, who doubles as tournament host this week at Congressional Country Club, stood on 10-under 130 after 36 holes in the US$6 million event, one stroke ahead of Australian Rod Pampling, with American Anthony Kim two adrift.

Defending champ Kim, the first-round leader after a course-record and career-low 62, struggled to a 70 to stand third, one stroke ahead of US veteran Jim Furyk.

Pampling, first on the course, fired his low round of the year, 64, to jump into contention but knows his task of outdueling Woods will be a tough one.

“I don’t think you can go through the history books and find a guy who has been as consistent as Tiger. It’s just amazing,” Pampling said.

“We’re fortunate to be playing in the same era where we can watch Tiger.” he said.

■FRENCH OPEN

REUTERS, ST QUENTIN, FRANCE

Padraig Harrington’s abysmal run of form continued when he missed the cut at the French Open on Friday, trailing 15 shots behind second-round leader Rafa Echenique of Argentina.

Echenique, runner-up at last week’s BMW International Open, carded a four-under 67 for a 10-under total of 132.

Germany’s Martin Kaymer (72), South African Charl Schwartzel (66) and Britain’s Steve Webster (65) shared second spot on 134, but Harrington missed his fifth successive cut after limping to a 75 for 147, five over.

Shane Lowry shot 72 for a total of 141.

US Masters champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina (70) missed the cut on 145.